maryalexandra25-blog

[maryalexandra25-blog]

How I Completed the Lavaman Olympic Triathlon With NO Training...

And how YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Disclaimer: the information shared here is my personal story. I am not a certified trainer or a pro triathlete. Any new activity that you embark upon should be with oversight of a medical or athletic professional.

I’m not gonna lie, I was seriously considering dropping out, all the way up until registration day….

But I didn’t!

It’s 2018 now, and I’d say I have not trained in any serious way since about 2013, before exiting the Marines. In fact, I vowed to myself that I would NEVER train long distance, intense exercise again, unless I truly enjoyed it. And thus far, I haven’t. So for the past four-and-a-half years, I’ve done almost nothing I’d consider intense. I skied a handful of times; ran a mile or two a handful of times; swam 35 laps, about 3 times a week, for about 3 weeks, a year ago; embarked on an intro ballet class; a little Jiu Jitsu; and some light yoga, movement and stretching, most days of the week. But nothing noteworthy as typical “tri training,” and I’d never ran a race like this, in my life.

In fact, I’d actually never swam one mile, or biked 25 miles, before the Lavaman.

Oh…and to answer your question, yes, I finished each event before the cutoff times, passing through the finish line at 3:52:07. At that pace, I could finish a half Ironman before the cutoff.

So, how did I do it? Well, it’s amazing how your life experience kicks in when you least expect it!

Whenever my platoon got in trouble, in bootcamp, there was this little ditty our Senior Drill Instructor would make us yell, as we held our rifles straight out in front of us, parallel to the floor, for what felt like hours at a time. It went like this, “if you give up in your mind, your body will fail.”

The number one key to any feat is your mind, first and foremost.

If you fail to conquer it, good luck conquering anything else. Even though there was a part of me that didn’t want to go through with the race, because I had not trained, there was never a part of me that wondered IF I could go through it. I know how to swim, and I know how to keep from drowning if I’m tired. I know how to ride a bike. I know how to run, or worse case scenario, walk. So that was never an issue. I didn’t sign up for, or run the race, planning to come in first. I just wanted to finish- which really took the edge off!

Oh the glory of the lessons we learn in childhood stories!

Remember that story, The Tortoise And The Hair? Well, I do. In fact, I distinctly remember it, because I had a little pop up version of it, that I read all the time, as a child. And during my last years in the Marines, after numerous overuse injuries, when my competitive spirit had finally escaped me, I used the mantra, “slow and steady wins the race,” to get myself through the three-mile running portion of the annual physical fitness test. Well, as it turns out, it’s an excellent tool for running triathlons too!

When I wasn’t watching the turtles swim underneath me; pedaling away, while singing songs to myself; or planning my next meeting, blog, or business idea, in my head; I was repeating the mantra, “slow and steady wins the race,” which allowed me to control my heartrate.

I hate running. When I decided to join the armed forces, I was a single parent with a baby, totally out of shape, and about 20 to 30 pounds heavier than I am right now- the stubborn leftovers from pregnancy. But, I had made a decision and by God, I was going to come through. So I strapped my daughter into the jogger, went to the track, just about every day for a month, and ran four miles (that’s 16 MISERABLE laps around my hometown, quarter-mile, track). Now, at first, I hardcore sucked. But I went out there with one rule: practice how you play on game day; which meant to me- whatever you do, don’t stop running. Go slow if you have to, but don’t walk and most definitely don’t stop!!! And, within 4 months, I was running three miles in 22:30 (which was great cause I really do HATE running).

Now, at the Lavaman, I was running much slower than that (32.5 minute three mile). So slow that some might argue that I may as well have been walking. But there is a totally different mindset involved with walking, a mindset of defeat!

“Slow and steady wins the race,” mixed with “whatever you do, don’t stop,” equals, passing a hell of a lot of people along the way!

The last mindset tool that I used, I learned in yoga instructor training: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! I’d been applying this rule to stretching, yoga and movement practices for years, but had never actually applied it to intense or long-distance exercise before (which is probably why I eventually stopped enjoying it). There must be something about that Aloha spirit, here in Hawai’i, that compelled me to focus on health and enjoyment, rather than unhealthy and potentially injurious competition. And this is how I came out of the whole thing feeling pretty good, considering. The last mile of the run, I finally began to feel a little bit of knee pain, but other than that, I felt absolutely fine. And the knee pain began to quickly subside, within less than 24 hours.

The real winners, as far as I’m concerned, are those who compete against themselves and come out of the race without injury!

The problem with a lot of hardcore triathletes is that they push their hearts too far, too often, for too long. The heart is a muscle, and just like other muscles, it can become overused and prone to injury. But with the right mindset, you can be a triathlete without destroying your heart, your body or your spirit.

That being said, I think that NOT using a Garmin actually helped a lot!

It meant I maintained my focus on the task at hand, and I didn’t feel compelled to constantly check the time, check the pace, check how much further to the transition point or the finish line, or to become so preoccupied with any of those things, that I stopped listening to my body.

Now, of course there were things I did, pre and post race day. Here they are:

PRE RACE PREP:

Rent bike (no I don’t own a tri bike or a road bike of any kind. I’ve always ridden a mountain bike) - Bike gloves - Good quality and perfect fitting helmet is a must (you can buy fancy aerodynamic ones, but I just used the one that came with the bike) - Anti-Chafe Cream (put it anywhere anything will rub- Chamois Butt’r is awesome, but unless you want your junk to burn, I’d avoid the menthol and the cayenne pepper variety) - Sunscreen (use the kind that doesn’t kill the reef!). Apply lotion before the race, and use a stick that you can quickly coat your face with, during transitions. - Good deodorant!!! (I usually use the non-cancerous stuff from the natural food store, but I don’t know of one that would cut it with intense activity, so I used Degree, during the race!!!) - Hydrate on the days leading up to the race- plenty of fluids, with just enough sodium (yes, there is a fine balance, pre race and during.) I took one bike bottle, and a bottle for each transition- but I only drank a few sips out of two of them. I used one half of a nuun electrolyte tab, in one of the bottles. For me, drinking water just upset my stomach during the race, so I stuck to what was handed out at aid stations, and splashed myself with whatever I had not drank by the time I ran past the last trash can. I didn’t stop at the aid station during the bike part, and just sipped from my water bottle, maybe three times. - Get plenty of sleep (don’t be like me. I got 4 hours sleep the night before and had a hell of a time getting up in the morning) - Carb load (good carbs like whole wheat pasta or rice) the couple nights prior, but don’t overeat and do include other nutrient dense foods of wide variety. - Buy the most appropriate gear but don’t get crazy! → for women, use a bib belt, it’s just easier- and you can get one that holds cubes → Cubes and gels- bring them, but don’t use caffeine until the last hour or less, if you need it. If you haven’t trained with caffeine, it will probably upset your stomach. → Headbands are awesome to keep sweat out of your face, and also protect forehead from sun (unless you’re a masochist, you don’t want to put sunscreen above your eyes) → For women, consider using a tri short and tri tank, or a tri suit, for the entire duration of the race (for an olympic length, that is. For an Ironman you might want to opt for a biking short [more butt padding], which you don’t want to swim with, but at the end of the day, it’s personal preference). If you can bear the temperature of the water, avoid using a wetsuit (if it’s even legal). It will take up a lot of time at transition and so will changing from a bathing suit to running gear. Wearing a bathing suit underneath a tri jersey can make you susceptible to unnecessary chafing, which can impact your mindset, in the long run. - Bring a small towel to wipe the sand and water off your feet, after the swim. - Hose down to remove the salt, after the swim, or you may experience chafing. - Lay your stuff out nicely at the transition points, so you don’t waste time digging through your bag. - Invest in an excellent pair of running shoes, at a running store, and have them do a gait analysis. Because I have low back and knee problems, I invested in a very cushioned shoe, which will slow you down, but might prevent injury. I also pronate, but have high arches, so I added orthotics. - It won’t hurt to keep a small fruit, like an apple or pear, at your transition points. Even if you don’t eat it during the race, it’s always a refreshing snack for after or on the ride home, etc. - Eat a light, but carb loaded, balanced, and easy to digest breakfast, with plenty of time to digest prior to race (I had a piece of toast with natural peanut butter and a protein shake with added peanut butter powder, almond milk, and a banana.)

POST RACE:

- Keep listening to your body- and eat what you feel called to, even if you wouldn’t normally eat it (so for me, that meant having a burger). Trusting my body and what I was craving at any moment after the race, I believe, really aided in recovery. - Go to the spa!!! Sit in the steam room / sauna / jacuzzi and stretch it all out. - Get a good night of rest - Next day, go to the spa again and bask in the anti-inflammatory glory of heat therapy and stretching. - Pre-schedule a chiropractor appointment for the day after the race. - Pre-schedule a sports massage, or thai/bali/deep tissue massage for the day after. - Research any new pain that you feel. Begin to learn what the root cause is and what therapy or exercise you need to embrace, to heal it. For me, I just had this pesky knee pain flare up, in the last mile of the run, and until the race, I never knew what that pain was all about. Because I want to run the Ironman 70.3 in a few months, I was compelled to finally give my knee the attention it needs. Luckily (and probably because of the anti-inflammatory response to the post-race heat therapy), my knee pain mostly subsided within less than 24 hours, but I’ll still take the time and attention to give it proper long-term therapy.

All in all, it was an incredible experience and I am super excited to run the Ironman 70.3, next.

I’m sure it will present many more challenges than the Lavaman, but as with all things, once you lean into the pain, your threshold of what is possible, increases. Hope to see YOU @ the FINISH LINE!

Join the FeminineStrong movement on Facebook

Add me on Snapchat

[maryalexandra25-blog]

The Greatest Showman: Freedom, Radical Authenticity, And YOUR Power To Change The World

Inspired by The Greatest Showman starring Hugh Jackman

Leaving the gym at around 7:30 am, after spending a little time getting my stretch on in the steam room, and upping my early morning social media game, I listen…

“You stumble through your days got your head hung low your skies’ a shade of grey like a zombie in a maze…”

As I listen to The Greatest Showman soundtrack, Hugh Jackman’s words pierce my psyche and my heart. His song, Come Alive, at once, spirals me through a sea of memories of the 15 years that I spent the majority of my life counting down the minutes and hours until I could finally leave work, go home to a lonely existence, and rinse and repeat the next day.

Then comes the promise of a light somewhere peeking through the cracks in the tunnel

“Come alive, come alive Go and ride your light Let it burn so bright Reaching up To the sky And it’s open wide You’re electrified…”

A distinct memory envelopes my mind- I’m standing behind the counter in the weather office at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.

My Sergeant Major, at the time, had just come into the office to tell me that, although the command knew my intent to exit the Marines, I’d just been slated to fill what is called a “B-billet.” This basically means that I’d been put on a list to be forced into one of the most demanding, shit show jobs, you could possibly do while still stateside (recruiting, drill instructing, combat instructing or if you’re lucky, embassy duty), and that only people who are looking to get promoted and plan to stay in until retirement, actually subject themselves to.

Now, some people spend their entire military career aspiring to fill the image of one of these perceived superheros, but I’d recently been promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-6) and would be exiting the Marine Corps in about a year-and-a-half. There was no reason for me to complete a b-billet. But, out of esprit de corps, I offered to extend my enlistment to fulfill the obligation requirement of whatever billet Uncle Sam decided to throw me into.

And then it happened…the ultimate betrayal…

We had this saying in the Marine Corps, that we used metaphorically, whenever we felt like we were being screwed by the good old USMC. We called it, getting the “green weenie.” Well, Uncle Sam gave it to me that day when I was informed that extending my enlistment to fulfill the 36 month obligation required to fill a b-billet, was not good enough. If I were selected, I’d be forced to reenlist for 4 more years and if I refused to reenlist, I’d be “awarded” with a special derogatory code that would follow me for eternity, indicating that I “refused orders.”

The lyrics continue, “Cause you’re just a dead man walking Thinking that’s your only option But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day Take the world and redefine it Leave behind your narrow mind You’ll never be the same…”

And in that moment, a switch DID flip, and I have NEVER been the same!

Up until that moment, sitting in the Career Planner’s office, there had been a little part of me still questioning whether I wanted to take the plunge away from the security of a federally funded career, and into the vast unknown and discomfort of reintegration into civilian society. But at once, that last flicker of honor, uncertainty about my decision to exit the Corps, vanished. After such an unjust attempt to back me into a corner, the Corps represented more of a prison than a voluntary fighting force.

But who was I kidding-it was a prison all along!

Within a few months, I had submitted for, and carried out an “early out” package, releasing me from service six months early. I’d dodged the b-billet bullet and was not going to waste time removing myself from the stranglehold of the ultimatum I was given (even after expressing my willingness to compromise to fit the “needs of the Marine Corps,”). This is not, by the way, how to maintain low attrition rates in your organization!

Not surprisingly, upon exiting the military, I dove head first into a situation that would land me repeating an only slightly-improved-version of the same thing I’d just left behind. After two years in college, my dream college actually, I realized that I was repeating the old pattern, positioning myself to end up working my ass off for four or eight years and then go work another nine-to-five.

I couldn’t decide on one thing to devote my life to studying and I was freaking out on the inside.

Then it happened- the ultimate resistance, right at the end of a semester. A situation arose that resulted in flying my two young nieces out to New York City. I figured it’d be no big deal, in such a big city, to find childcare for them. Boy was I wrong! Taking care of the girls really shook me. Not only did I end up having to withdraw at the end of the semester, but it made me realize that I wanted to have more children and I also wanted to finally carry out my lifelong dream to travel and experience other cultures. What I did NOT want to do was have more children before getting to do those things. I wanted to feel free. Since I married at 18, had my daughter right before my 20th birthday, and seperated from her father five months later, I never got to experience that freedom from responsibility that characterizes many American’s 20-somethings.

After the girls left, I completed one more semester- a course on Indian Art and Architecture and a course on East Asian Buddhism- and I was ready to go travel. I had fallen behind on the payments of my investment property in California, was facing possible foreclosure, and used my student loans to pay for the cost of the kids, so I was stuck between a rock and a hard spot. Fortunately, I’d bought the place, three years earlier, with a lot of foresight. I decided to sell the house, and came out $60,000 on top, even after the back payments, and realtor fees.

By now, you’re probably wondering how all of this ties together…

Well, my first trip was to one of the most transformational events I’ve experienced in my life, Unleash the Power Within with Anthony Robbins. This event forced me to dig VERY VERY deep, and completely changed the trajectory of my life. For the first time, I was beginning to understand myself; for the first time in a long time, I felt truly inspired to be alive. I decided that the three most important things I could possibly do were to understand myself better, trust my instincts and pursue my passions. Tony also planted the seed that peaked my interest in “multiple income streams” and business. So, I proceeded to buy every program he offered, and then scheduled lessons in Neuro-linguistic Programming, hypnosis, tantra yoga, and Japanese Taiko drumming. Yes, I was all over the map. But I was happy.

While I missed learning from some of the world’s best, and I missed the idea of possessing that Ivy League degree (the status symbol that I now understood was serving as a source of significance, certainty and certain misery for me), I was much happier being the free spirit that was authentically me. The person I’d almost forgotten completely over the many years I’d clutched to certainty and significance as my primary needs (an unconscious mistake that prevents true fulfillment for so many of us).

I caught a glimpse of freedom. I feel it…

“When the world becomes a fantasy And you’re more than you could ever be ’Cause you’re dreamin’ with your eyes wide open And you know you can’t go back again To the world that you were living in ’Cause you’re dreamin’ with your eyes wide open So, come alive…”

And after almost 3 years of extreme personal growth, building multiple streams of income and learning the ins and outs of passion-based business,

when I listen to The Greatest Showman soundtrack, my soul comes alive.

Not only because I resonate so deeply with the message of the movie: the struggles and beauty of entrepreneurship; our power to create; our ability to alter the trajectory of the world we live in, if we only take the risk of following our heart; the importance of seeing the potential in others; the liberating effect of radical authenticity; accepting the good with the bad, I could go on and on!

“I am not a stranger to the dark Hide away, they say ’Cause we don’t want your broken parts I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars Run away, they say No one’ll love you as you are…”

This movie also served as a little reminder of my childhood dream of performance, my love of singing, of theater, the parts of myself I’ve learned to hide over the years. It allowed me to understand that it’s ok, and even healthy, to do life for you, on your terms.

I am not responsible for fixing the world or anyone else in it; just myself.

As Rupaul mentioned in a recent Oprah interview, the purpose of life is to experience life, to enjoy it, that’s first and foremost.

“When the sharpest words wanna cut me down I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out I am brave, I am bruised I am who I’m meant to be, this is me Look out ’cause here I come And I’m marching on to the beat I drum I’m not scared to be seen I make no apologies, this is me…”

Gandhi said, “be the change you wish to see in the world.” The depth of this quote is unending, I’m learning, as the lesson continues to flow constantly. Hind Swaraj (home-rule) is a never ending process of personal growth!

Yes, it’s true, that stepping into your authenticity is as uncomfortable as it is empowering.

You will be criticized, ostracized and outcasted. But it is fully worth it! When you embrace the discomfort, it is then that your inner superheroine will shine forth from the S on your chest (in your heart that is).

“Another round of bullets hits my skin Well, fire away ’cause today, I won’t let the shame sink in We are bursting through the barricades and Reaching for the sun (we are warriors) Yeah, that’s what we’ve become (yeah, that’s what we’ve become)…”

All I ask of you now, is that you become a warrior with me!

“’Cause darling without you All the shine of a thousand spotlights All the stars we steal from the nightsky Will never be enough Never be enough Towers of gold are still too little These hands could hold the world but it’ll Never be enough…”

Let’s steal the night, feel the warmth of a thousand spotlights, enjoy the gold, and hold the world…together! Empowered by our unique strengths, dreams, visions and perspectives; by each of our unique and fully authentic truths. Let’s take the world by storm. Let’s be the change we wish we could see. Let’s see the incredible potential in one another, once and for all. Let’s set high expectations for life and take full responsibility in creating it.

Join the me and the FeminineStrong movement Connect with me, personally, on Snapchat Check out The Greatest Showman Trailer 

[maryalexandra25-blog]

TODAY’S ☀️ MORNING ROUTINE:

🧘🏼‍♀️10 minutes meditation

😘 Gratitude

❤️ Say Affirmations

🧐 Check in on Goal To-do list

🤯 3 rounds of Wim Hoff Breathing

🤸🏼‍♀️5 min Stretching

💃🏼10 minutes house dancing

👍🏼6 minutes spinal waves

🐶 10 minutes plying w puppies

☕️ 1 cup FeminineStrong Coffee

🙅🏼‍♀️ 5 minute drop dirty laundry @ cleaner so I don’t have to waste my time on that shit.

🧖🏼‍♀️ 30 minutes steam room/jacuzzi

💅🏼 40 minutes get dressed

...And ready for a 📝 productive day of work!!!

What does your morning routine look like?

#doglovers #morningritual #steamroom #spa #movement #healthylifestyle #routine #healthymind #healthymindandbody #loveyourself #selfcare #eryday #ownit #realitycheck #keepgrowing #fulfilled #blessed #paradise #hawaii

[maryalexandra25-blog]

[maryalexandra25-blog]

[maryalexandra25-blog]

#empoweringwomen #womeninbusiness #womenleaders #womenhelpingwomen #FeminineStrong #feminine #bossbabe

[maryalexandra25-blog]

#empoweringwomen #womeninbusiness #womenleaders #womenhelpingwomen #FeminineStrong #feminine #bossbabe

[maryalexandra25-blog]

If you’re not growing, you’re stagnant or dying, in mind, body, and spirit! #boundaries #bossbabe #PersonalGrowth #RealityCheck #businesswoman #lifelonglearner #hawaii #bigisland (at Daylight Mind Coffee Company)

[maryalexandra25-blog]

Dusk view of Kona town from #DaylightMind Café ☕️ #workinghard #businessbuilding #bigisland #WomenEmpowerment ❤️

[maryalexandra25-blog]

✨Have you ever wondered how to motivate your peers? 💪How to deal with confrontational colleagues? 🤔Do you feel like you sometimes become the bitchy boss? 😥Or do you feel like you've lost a bit of yourself, as you've climbed the professional ladder? If this is you, or someone you know, this course would be perfect for you! I struggled with these issues, and many more, during 9 years as an active duty U.S. Marine. Now, I'm here to take you on a journey of healing and self discovery, where you'll come out the other end being more confident and capable than ever before! $75 discount until midnight (Hawaii time)... That's ONLY $23! 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! SIGN UP HERE 👇 https://femininestrong.com/courses/6-weeks-to-become-an-inspirational-leader #womenleaders #leaders #manager #entreprenuer #selfemployed #empoweringwomen #Hawaii #BigIsland #leadership #livewithpassion #womensupportingwomen #bossbabe

[maryalexandra25-blog]

Thanksgiving Day Mom and Marissa Time #Love #happythanksgiving #hawaii #BigIsland

[maryalexandra25-blog]

#BigIsland #Sunset #Staycation #sunny #beach #Hawai‘i #Love #PerfectDay

[maryalexandra25-blog]

🌟So excited to be preparing for my next Masterclass. If you’re a women who has felt lost, in search of self or feeling like the bitchy boss, repressing your femininity or over nurturing your masculinity, and out of balance, then THIS IS FOR YOU!!!🌟 sign up @ link in bio👆🏼❤️ Ladies, out of my own struggle, comes this Masterclass, tailored to you!! I hope to see your beautiful face. We’re going to have a lot of fun! #PersonalGrowth #womenhelpingwomen #WomenEmpowerment #bossbabe #FeminineStrong #leaders #entrepreneurship #RealityCheck #designyourlife (at Daylight Mind Coffee Company)

[maryalexandra25-blog]

🌟HURRY, ONLY 4 MORE HOURS, AND SPACES HAVE FILLED UP FAST🌟 There are about 15 more open seats for today's masterclass!! So jump on this link here and sign in to reserve your spot! https://femininestrong.com/masterclass/ Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you- signing up gives you access to a free recording of the class, and a private FB networking group of other inspirational leaders from all across the globe!!! The action is happening @ 12:00PM Pacific Time (That's 10AM Hawaii / 3PM EST / 8PM London Time) I look forward to seeing you!! We are going to have a blast...#bossbabe #entrepreneurship #leaders #WomenEmpowerment #womenhelpingwomen #PersonalGrowth #FeminineStrong

[maryalexandra25-blog]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mary♥Alexandra (@feminine_strong)

Join me on tomorrow’s Leadership Masterclass, Thursday @ 12:00PM Pacific Time. 🌟HURRY! Space is limited! Only 35 seats left! 🌟 click the link in my bio to sign up. I can’t wait to see your beautiful faces!! I am SO EXCITED to share these three secrets I learned!! PS. Men ARE welcome too!! #BigIsland #womenleaders #SelfAwareness #bossbabe #womenhelpingwomen #WomenEmpowerment #leaders #entrepreneurship (at Daylight Mind Coffee Company)

[maryalexandra25-blog]

🌟FREE Leadership Masterclass🌟 SPACE IS LIMITED! Thursday, Nov 16 @ 12PM Pacific Time!! To sign up, Click the link in bio 👆🏼 ❤️ I can’t wait to see you there!! 😘 #SelfAwareness #RealityCheck #womenhelpingwomen #womenleaders #womeninbiz #FemaleEntrepreneur #PersonalGrowth #Authenticity #WomenEmpowerment #BigIsland #Management #FeminineStrong